Personal Cooling System

ABSTRACT

A cooling mist sprayer and fan designed to clamp onto a lounge chair and provide timed, refreshing intervals of mist and cooling air.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e)(1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/473,164 filed Mar. 17, 2017, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “CLIP N COOL,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of cooling mist sprayers and fans, and more specifically to the field of cooling mist sprayers and fans designed to clamp onto a lounge chair and provide timed, refreshing intervals of mist and cooling air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consider, for example, the need that virtually all of us have for feeling the sunlight on our skin. Our need for the sun on our skin is not only physiological, in terms of synthesizing Vitamin D, but also psychological and emotional and as long as we don't overdo it, we just plain feel better, psychologically, emotionally, physically, and in terms of our appearance, when we've taken the time to soak up some rays. Great as it is, though, reclining on a lounge-chair in the summer sun is also hot, so hot that we need, from time to time, a way to cool ourselves off. Ideally, when we're stretched out soaking up the sun, there'd be a way to cool ourselves off without having to get up to do it.

The prior art has put forth several designs for cooling mist sprayers. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,106 to Gregory Steiner provides an integral portable fan and atomizing head unit forming a portable cooling unit adapted for direct attachment to a fluid reservoir such as a bottle, formed by a unit having an upper chamber and a lower chamber and a connector secured to the lower chamber. The upper chamber is provided with a motor and electrical means to activate and deactivate the motor and fan means including flexible fan blades mounted externally on the upper chamber and connected to the motor to turn in response to the activation of the motor. The lower chamber is provided with pump means and pump activation means and provided with an atomizing head in order to atomize fluid pumped up through the head. The connector is attached to the lower chamber and is adapted to disengageably engage a fluid reservoir directly, such as a bottle.

US Patent Application No. 2013/0175714 to Mitchell Altman et al provides a portable personal cooling device comprising a fan housing, a fan motor within the fan housing, and a fan driven by said fan motor to direct a flow of air in a downstream direction. A nozzle is attached to the cooling device and positioned to direct a liquid emerging therefrom into the flow of air. An electrically driven pump and pump motor is coupled to the fan housing for drawing water from a body of water and conducting the water to the nozzle for dispersement into the air flow. The cooling device further includes a clamp for removably attaching the fan housing to a supporting structure without the need for tools. The pump assembly includes a water inlet line for conducting the water from the body of water to the pump. The water inlet line has an inlet end weighted sufficiently to maintain the inlet end below the surface of the water in the water source, and a quantity of buoyant material spaced from the inlet end to maintain the inlet end a predetermined distance below the surface of the water.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,344 to Eric E. Junkel et al provides a combination portable fan and spray misting device for creating a cooling atomized mist spray. The fan includes an elongated body portion and a fan blade head portion which is attached in an upwardly and angled fashion relative to the body portion and which further includes a rotatable fan blade unit. The spray misting device further includes a body containing a volume of a liquid and a spray applicator secured atop said body and capable of issuing an atomized fluid mist spray of the liquid in a direction from the rear of and both above and through the rotating fan blade unit to further cool, atomize and distribute the spray in a desired application.

US Patent Application No. 2012/0319308 to Chen et al provides an improved portable misting fan device of the type formed by a body carrying fan means for creating and moving a stream of air, the body further provided with a reservoir and having a power source for driving the fan means and electrical means for driving the power source which further includes a powered mist generator having driving means and an actuator for actuating the mist generator, the mist generator being in fluid communication with the reservoir and a mist nozzle adapted to receive a fluid mist from the mist generator and deliver the same into the air stream created by the fan means.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling mist sprayer and fan designed to clamp onto a lounge chair and provide timed, refreshing intervals of mist and cooling air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cooling mist sprayer and fan, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a close up perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the attachment means, and the solar panel and battery compartment of the cooling mist sprayer and fan, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another close up perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of attachment means and the control panel of the cooling mist sprayer and fan, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a cooling mist sprayer and fan, constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing an external motor to drive the fan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Please refer to the drawings.

The present invention is a personal cooling system offering users a compact, portable, and easily affordable personal cooling fan and mister, designed to clamp onto a lounge-chair or other object and to cool and refresh the user through timed-interval applications of cool or misted air.

The personal cooling system consists of the following components, listed and briefly described from bottom to top: A refillable base reservoir 12 is capable of containing water.

In an embodiment, reservoir 12 is insulated. In an embodiment, reservoir 12 is collapsible. In an embodiment, reservoir 12 is capable of holding approximately 12 to 16 fluid ounces. In an embodiment, reservoir 12 is equipped with a threaded, removable cap or housing 32.

Water held in reservoir 12 travels from the reservoir into water feeder tube 30. In an embodiment, water feeder tube 30 is equipped with a filter 36.

Reservoir 12 is capped with housing 32. The top of reservoir 12 is threaded to receive housing 32. Housing 32 also comprises neck 34. Neck 34 is capable of receiving flexible conduit 22. Flexible conduit 22 is capable of receiving a flow of water from reservoir 12 through water feeder tube 30 and through conduit 22 to be sprayed out of mist egress head 28. Mist egress head 28 comprises a plurality of holes 29, through water droplets are ejected. In an embodiment, mist egress head 28 is mounted in the center of a fan 44. The fan 44 comprises circular fan housing 24 inside of which fan blades 26 rotate. Fan 44 can be an oscillating fan, or a rotating fan. In an embodiment, fan motor 38 is mounted onto the device near the center of the fan 44 to drive the rotation of the fan blades. In an embodiment, fan motor 38 is powered by electricity which travels through wires 42 which run through the inside of flexible conduit 22.

Housing 32 also supports control panel 40. Control panel 40 comprises clock display 52, fan control 54, and mist control 56. In an embodiment, fan control 54 further comprises an “on” button, and a button for selecting fan operation for one minute, a button for selecting fan operation for three minutes, a button for selecting fan operation for five minutes, a button for selecting fan operation for seven minutes; and mist control 56 further comprises an “on” button, and a button for selecting mist operation for one minute, a button for selecting mist operation for three minutes, a button for selecting mist operation for five minutes, and a button for selecting mist operation for seven minutes.

Control panel 40 also contains a computer chip for affecting the above described operational capabilities. It is also contemplated that the control panel can be configured with different intervals of operation, as desired.

The operation of the personal cooling system 10 is powered by solar panel 20, or by an alternative power source in the form of batteries mounted in battery compartment 54. Solar panel 20 is mounted on housing 32. Battery compartment 54 is mounted in housing 32. In an embodiment, the unit is powered by batteries, and the solar panel is used to recharge the batteries.

Housing 32 further includes a pump compartment 50 to house a pump to pump water from the reservoir into the water feeder tube 30 and out through holes 29 of the mist egress head 28, as previously described. Housing 32 further comprises a motor compartment 52 to house a motor to drive a pump mounted in pump compartment 50.

Housing 32 further supports attachment means for attaching the personal cooling system to a lounge-chair, wheelchair, or other object. Any suitable attachment means is contemplated. In an embodiment, attachment means comprises clip 14. In an alternative embodiment, attachment means comprise clamp 16.

Housing 32 further comprises neck 34. Flexible conduit 22 connects to housing 32 at neck 34. Flexible conduit 22 is capable of receiving a flow of water. Flexible conduit 22 is also capable of receiving electrical wires 42 to power the fan 44. Any suitable fan is contemplated. In an embodiment, the fan can be a three-bladed, oscillating fan. Mist egress head 28 is shown positioned in the center of the fan, but mist egress head 28 can also be mounted above or below the fan.

The user of the personal cooling system fills the reservoir 12 with water, and secures the reservoir to the unit by means of the threaded cap housing 32 which supports all the other components of the system. The personal cooling system 10 is then clamped to the lounge-chair or other object where it is to be employed. The user sets the programmable timer, selecting fan settings and mist settings as desired to turn on the fan and/or mister at intervals ranging between one and five (1-5) minutes. Once these easy steps have been followed, the user is ready to soak up some rays, knowing that the personal cooling system will deliver cool or misted air on schedule.

The personal cooling system is rife with benefits and advantages for end users. Foremost, this clever device provides a comprehensive water mister and fan, in one compact, easy to use unit. Facilitating an automated, hands-free means of “cooling down” when sunbathing, or otherwise situated in a hot environment, the personal cooling system eliminates the discomfort that can result in over-baking on particularly hot days. Extremely simple to use, this device can be secured and ready to work in a matter of minutes. As the personal cooling system is offered at an affordable price, anyone would be able to own these portable units. Whether on a public beach or private resort, lounging by the backyard swimming pool, or even lying supine on the deck of cruise ship, the versatile personal cooling system ensures an optimal tanning experience. Indeed, the personal cooling system is a concept with great potential not only for the sunbather stretched out by the pool, but for the person in a wheelchair, the fisherman in his boat, the cyclist climbing a hill, and even the sports fan enjoying a game at an outdoor stadium, to name just a few.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A personal cooling system in the form of a cooling mist sprayer and fan designed to clamp onto a lounge chair and provide timed, refreshing intervals of mist and cooling air, comprising: a) a refillable base reservoir capable of containing water, contains water; reservoir has a top; b) a water feeder tube is capable of receiving water held in the reservoir and water travels from the reservoir into water feeder tube; c) reservoir is capped with housing; d) the top of reservoir is threaded to receive housing; e) housing comprises neck, wherein neck is capable of receiving and receives flexible conduit; f) flexible conduit is capable of receiving and receives a flow of water from reservoir through water feeder tube and through conduit to be sprayed out of mist egress head; g) mist egress head is attached to flexible conduit and receives water from the conduit and mist egress head comprises a plurality of holes, through water droplets are ejected; h) fan; i) fan motor; j) control panel mounted on housing; control panel comprises clock display, fan control, and mist control; k) control panel also contains a computer chip for affecting the operational capabilities; l) power source; m) pump; n) pump motor; and o) attachment means.
 2. The personal cooling system of claim 1, wherein the power source is a solar panel.
 3. The personal cooling system of claim 1, wherein the power source is batteries.
 4. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the power source is rechargeable batteries which are charged by the solar panel.
 5. The cooling system of claim 4 wherein the solar panel is mounted on the housing and the batteries are mounted in a battery compartment which is located in the housing.
 6. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the pump is contained in a pump compartment, wherein the pump compartment is mounted in the housing.
 7. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the fan motor is contained in a fan motor compartment, wherein the fan motor compartment is mounted in the housing.
 8. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the fan motor is mounted near the center of the fan.
 9. The cooling system of claim 1 further comprising attachment means for attaching the personal cooling system to a lounge-chair, wheelchair, or other object.
 10. The cooling system of claim 19, wherein the attachment means comprises a clip or clamp.
 11. The cooling system of claim 8, wherein fan motor is powered by electricity which travels through wires which wire run through the inside of flexible conduit.
 12. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the fan is a three-bladed, oscillating fan.
 13. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein mist egress head is positioned in the center of the fan.
 14. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein mist egress head is mounted above or below the fan.
 15. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein reservoir is insulated.
 16. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein reservoir is collapsible.
 17. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein reservoir is reservoir is capable of holding approximately 12 to 16 fluid ounces.
 18. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein water feeder tube is equipped with a filter.
 19. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein the fan is an oscillating fan or a rotating fan.
 20. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein control panel comprises a fan control, a mist control, wherein fan control further comprises an “on” button, and a first button for selecting fan operation for one minute, a second button for selecting fan operation for three minutes, a third button for selecting fan operation for five minutes, a fourth button for selecting fan operation for seven minutes; and mist control further comprises a second “on” button, and a fifth button for selecting mist operation for one minute, a sixth button for selecting mist operation for three minutes, a seventh button for selecting mist operation for five minutes, and an eighth button for selecting mist operation for seven minutes. 